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Legend Mick Easterby still in the race


York Press

12 January 2017

MICK Easterby will never turn his back on the sport of Kings.

At 85, the legendary trainer could be forgiven for putting his feet up instead of hosing down the yard on a cold and windy Wednesday morning.

But Easterby, who this year celebrates the 40th anniversary of Classic glory with Mrs McArdy in the 1000 Guineas, insists that retirement is not an option.

He allegedly passed on the reins to son David, four years ago, and talked half-heartedly about spending time on a beach in Tenerife. But training racehorses was in his blood, the only way of life he knew, and it would need a major transfusion to take that out of his system.

Despite his stubborn defiance, the Easterbys are currently seeking an assistant-trainer to join the team at Sheriff Hutton.

Don't be fooled, however, into thinking that this will be his cue to disappear from the scene.

"When I see people who have retired, I always say "you want your backside kicking, you will die before me!" he laughs. "But I am slipping and we need an assistant trainer because we have got a lot of work on.

"I never really retired but I have been taking a step back for at least 10 years," he admits. "My son runs most of it now " he does all the entries and the placing of the horses, I just look on and steer him to the best of my ability!

"It is an opportunity of a lifetime for the right person because, when he leaves me, he will be able to go anywhere.

"I had Oliver Greenall (now a fully licenced trainer) for five years and he was brilliant. It will be a miracle if we find anyone as good.

"The majority of people won't be able to stand it. It's a messy job and I am not easy to get on with," he shrugged.

"These opportunities don't come around often and it's difficult to find someone who is capable of doing the job but I will wait for the right man.

"Ex-jockeys have had too good a time being jockeys," he adds tellingly. "This is a different ball game. You have to "work" here!"

Whoever is pulling the strings at New House Farm, the team is delivering the results.

Mick, David, and his staff bagged 62 winners last year including three successes in races worth over £100,000 (Hoofalong won the Scottish Sprint Cup, Perfect Pasture won the Scurry in Ireland, and Hoof It won the Stewards Sprint at Goodwood).

Stable jockey Nathan Evans, meanwhile, rode 49 winners and is rapidly making waves on the circuit.

"We had a very good year and I look back on it with a lot of pride," he says. "The target this year is simple. Win more than last year!"

Today, Evans is on board Holiday Magic who is seeking to complete a four-timer in the sunbets.co.uk Handicap at Newcastle. Stable mate Qaffaal is also running on the back of three victories and two second places in his last five outings.

"This race will be their Derby," son David revealed. "It will be the best race they have run in, with the most prize money,

"Both horses have proved better on the all-weather" and they might progress around a similar level" but we think we have had the improvement out of them that we are going to get.

"This is probably the peak of their abilities," he added. "They are all within the handicapper's grasp, and luck in running and jockeymanship will make the difference not having a few pounds in hand."

Mick won't be travelling to Newcastle but there is still plenty of work to do on the farm.

"Work is the secret. And I want to live forever," he concludes.

"Besides, I don't like taking time off. When I do, I feel guilty. It's bred in me "I just can't help it."












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